Posting this photo for our friend Mark Hampton. I'll let him fill us in on the details.



I'm speechless Mark, congratulations!!!! Can't wait to hear more details.

Wow! Looking forward to hearing all about it!

Truly a Dream Hunt. The prettiest of all the wild sheep in my opinion!

Thanks Darrell! I took this ram on the afternoon of the tenth day. Cold, sleeping in small tents, not much food, altitude, difficult climbs, the whole nine yards. Seeing the ram in the crosshairs was worth the misery. I used an H-S Precision 270 WSM with Federal Premium ammo; 130 gr. BT. Shot was 273 yards which is extremely close in this open, mountainous terrain. It was a great experience and the mountains are always rewarding. Thanks to Wade Derby of Cross Hair Consulting for organizing all the details.

Happy Thanksgiving to all,
Mark Hampton

That is a beautiful animal!!

Congratulations. Awesome animal.

Congratulations Mark, that's a beautiful ram.

Mark - amazing trophy! Congratulations!

Where did you hunt? Can you describe the hurdles you faced trying to import a handgun there?

So happy for you Mark!!!

SChunter, This hunt was taken in Kyrgyzstan; south of the Naryn River. The Russian outfitter took care of all firearm details ahead of time. No issues going in or out.

Whoa, Mark! Congratulations on a beautiful ram, and a challenging hunt,
Ken

WOW! Congratulations on taking a fine ram.

Thanks for all the kind words.

I am blown away! It takes a special individual to do a hunt like that and the handgun was iceing on the cake. Huge congrats! reflex264

Congratulations... I'm sure that was one heck of an experience!

Mark, congratulations on a great trophy and an even greater achievement. Thank you for your friendship and trust. Happy Thanksgiving! Wade

Congrats!

Congratulations. Please post a good story with all of the good, the bad and the ugly details in it. It has been my experience that many things add to the hunt, not just pulling the trigger.

The experience of a different culture. Eating strange foods that would make Andrew Zimmern cringe. Watching the sun rise on a high and ancient land.

bigbore442001, You are so right; there are many things that add to the hunt besides pulling the trigger. Folks who don't hunt can't seem to understand. The culture, people, magnificent animals, and the whole experience are rewarding in itself. For whatever reason, it seems the tougher, demanding challenges of these grueling mountain hunts make the adventure more rewarding and memorable.

I have a writing assignment for this hunt so I refrain from long winded posts. Thanks

Congrats!

Good for you, Mark ol' buddy!

And with ALL due respect, you are THE MAN esp. when it comes to the hardest earned trophies on this planet.

And doing it with the handgun.

Gregg

Mark: I look forward to your detailed story. It is interesting to hear how you had no problem with a specialty pistol in that nation. It would be interesting to hear more about the legalities of using specialty handguns in such places.

Thank you for such kind words. Wishing everyone a Happy Thanksgiving.

Mark, that is absolutely stunning! Congrats on an awesome trophy! I was in Kyrgyzstan just a couple months ago, but unfortunately I wasn't hunting Marco Polo.